smartglass

Microsoft announced a ton of upcoming features for its Xbox One console earlier this week, and lots of headlines were generated on the news that the console would be able to stream live TV shows to its Windows, iOS and Android SmartGlass app. Unfortunately, those headlines glossed over the fact that this kind of support won't be coming to the US market anytime soon.

As you obtain more games, apps, videos, and other experiences on your Xbox One, you want to able to access the ones that you use the most quickly. That's where pins come in. You can pin your favorite game or app to your Home screen for quick access.

Although the big update for Windows Phone 8.1 users, last night is the fixed Calendar app, this morning we are receiving a few more worthy updates. Most of these even have significant changelogs, making them that more attractive.

Let's take a look at what's new, especially wpTorrent, which hit a pretty big milestone today.

The Xbox One SmartGlass Beta is a version of the official remote control app for Microsoft's video game console, which consumers can download to check out upcoming features not yet loaded into the main release. We last looked at the app being updated back in May, but today the team has released another update to bring forward some new features.

You can control your Xbox One with so many modes of input. Use the Xbox One controller, use Kinect or use the Xbox One SmartGlass app on Windows Phone. The phone app is great and we have no major complaints, but that doesn’t mean Microsoft isn’t innovating. The company has just pushed out a beta version of SmartGlass for Windows Phone. The app gives you a sneak peek at new features coming. Let’s check it out.

Just ahead of Build, Microsoft has previewed a new update to SmartGlass which pulls in all of the OneGuide functions to your mobile. That means you’ll be able to flip through what’s on TV, change the station, and use your device as a TV remote (including powering your set on and off). These features are only rolling out to select Live members in Canada, the U.S., and Europe for the time being.

If you have an Xbox One and a Windows Phone, your experience just improved a bit today with version 1.0.3.0 of SmartGlass landing in the Store.

On a cursory glance, SmartGlass looks the same as December’s update, but heading under Settings will reveal a new menu item: Game Clips. Using the SmartGlass app, users can now browse through their collection of recorded hits and even play them directly on the phone.

A few days ago, we mentioned that Microsoft had pushed out an update for their Xbox One SmartGlass app for Windows 8.1 devices. Falling on the heels of that update are similar ones for the Windows Phone apps, including the Xbox One and Xbox 360 versions.

Firing up the app for the Xbox One, we’ve noticed the version number has changed from 2.x.xxxx.14001 to 2.x.xxxx.26000 and no new features, at least nothing that popped out. Our guess is this update ties in with some minor bug and performance improvements, including some connectivity issues some users have reported (ours has worked flawlessly since day one).

We’re not seeing it on Windows Phone, but the Xbox One SmartGlass app for Windows 8.1 has just received a new update. The companion app for your Xbox One is indispensable if you’re rocking out with Microsoft’s latest console in your living room. Let’s check out the new update for Windows 8.1.

The Xbox One launched in 13 countries last Friday, and early adopters (including much of the Windows Phone Central staff) have a fairly robust selection of launch titles to enjoy. That doesn’t mean we’re not already looking to the future, though. When you buy a console during the first month of its release, you’re investing in the games that will come later even more than the first wave of titles.

One of the most exciting early post-launch releases will be Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare from PopCap Games. Garden Warfare now has an official release date of February 18th, 2014 for both Xbox One and Xbox 360. I actually played the game during our visit to Electronic Arts headquarters last week and came away highly impressed. Head past the break for impressions, gameplay footage, and our video interview with Garden Warfare producer, Brian Lindley!

Microsoft today released the Xbox One SmartGlass app for Windows Phone, but lo and behold the company has also pushed out the same solution on Windows 8.1. Should you have the next-gen console on pre-order and are eagerly awaiting its arrival by getting your home and technology ready, you'll definitely want to have this app downloaded.

With only a few days left until the hotly anticipated Xbox One arrives in stores, Microsoft has already unleashed their SmartGlass app for the news system.

SmartGlass, introduced at E3 in 2012, has slowly ramped up as a ‘second-screen’ service, allowing those with smartphones and tablets to augment what is seen on screen. The SmartGlass service is expected to get more robust with the power of Xbox One, and with this app available today, we should be ready for this Friday.

Does it feel like you're forking out for tools and the means to create some content for the Xbox console (or any platform for that matter)? Microsoft may have a solution for you with its independent developer self-publishing program for Xbox One. Heard of Unity? The popular, highly rated and expensive kit will be available for free to those who are signed up for the Microsoft program.

Do you have a love for the undead? How about a love for AMC’s "Walking Dead"? If you are watching this season of the hit horror drama, you are going to want to make sure to download the new companion app for Windows 8.

SmartGlass was unveiled during Microsoft’s 2012 E3 presentation in Los Angeles. The service allows users to connect to their Xbox 360 in a variety of ways through their smartphones, tablets, and PCs. However, it was introduced late into the Xbox 360's lifecycle, something that impacted performance and features.

The Xbox One has been built with SmartGlass in mind, so we can expect a lot of improvements not just in performance, but new features to take advantage of the platform. Here’s what we can look forward to.

The last time the SmartGlass app for Windows Phone received an update was way back in January. For that release, we didn’t have a changelog and today, we bring the same news. Version 1.7.2.0 is now live in the Store, though you’ll be hard pressed to find any new features or changes. Our guess would be that the connection logic was probably adjusted to deliver a smoother experience when linking to the console.

This weekend, UFC 163 featherweight bout is going down on your Xbox 360 (www.ufc.com/event/UFC163) as a pay-per view event and we’re stoked, stocking up on beer and pizza for the Saturday night event.

Normally around this time we would break out our trusty official UFC app for Windows Phone, which lets you view all the upcoming fight cards, stats and it even allows you to choose who you think the winners will be (and by which method). That info could then be shared with your friends for friendly competition adding a unique social networking feature to the otherwise brutal showdown.

All of us use the World Wide Web every day to connect to our favorite services and we increasingly do so through mobile devices and tablets. According to Microsoft sources, everyday an additional 3.6 million devices are activated worldwide. If that is not enough proof to portray that we live in a connected world then consider this; that number is five times larger than the number of babies born each day. Because of this global expansion rate, Microsoft has introduced a concept known as “The Companion Web”.

Those are all great games, but they’re also established franchises and genres. Microsoft did announce a game during their E3 Media Briefing that is completely new in every way, though: Project Spark. On the surface, one might confuse Project Spark as being similar to LittleBigPlanet or even the indie title Kodu Game Lab for Xbox 360.

After seeing and hearing more about the game firsthand during E3, we discovered that Project Spark is simultaneously far grander in scale and more approachable than any game creation game that has come before. It’s due out on Xbox One, Windows 8, and Xbox 360 AND supports SmartGlass, so practically all Microsoft fans can get in on the fun. We’ve got an exclusive hands-on video with Claude Jerome, Game Designer at Microsoft and open beta details after the break!

Yesterday at E3 2013 we managed to squeeze in an interview with Peter Orullian, Group Product Manager at Microsoft. Peter is a ridiculously accomplished individual. He writes books, sings opera, and somehow finds time to work with Windows Phone, SmartGlass, and Xbox Music. Leave some lifetime Achievements for the rest of us, big guy!

Anyway, I sat down on camera with him to discuss his contributions to Windows Phone and SmartGlass, plus the Xbox One and his favorite games of the show. Windows Phone Central’s Daniel Rubino and “Serious” Sam Sabri also pitched in on the interview questions. Head past the break for the video interview and a brief summary!